anolinde

Decision: Rejected

Stats:

• SAT Verbal: 760
• SAT Math: 710
• SAT Writing: 770
• SAT Total: 740
• SAT II: U.S History (730), Math 1 (680), Literature (780)
• ACT: Didn't take.
• AP/IB taken/scores: U.S. History (5), European History (5), English Literature (5), English Language (5).
• GPA weighted: We don't weigh GPAs at my school.
• GPA unweighted: 3.79.
• Rank or % estimate: Definitely in the top ten percent.
  

Subjective:

• Essays: For the "looking in through a window" question, I wrote about the gymnastics center I've belonged to for the past ten years. I know it was a good essay because I cried while I was writing it. =P
• Teacher Recs: I would be shocked if they were anything less than excellent.
• Counselor Rec: My counselor seems proud of me, so I can imagine they were good.
• Hook (if any): My last name is Hispanic? Lol.
  

Location/Person:

• State or Country: USA.
• School Type: Public.
• Ethnicity: Didn't specify.
• Gender: Female.
• Legacy Yes/No: No.
• Recruited Yes/No: No.
• Important ECs: Gymnastics for ten years, karate for six years (black belt).
• Likely Letter Yes/No: Huh?
  

Other Factors: As I mentioned earlier, my writing is above average, so that may have helped with some of the essays.

4th house

for S:

Decision: Accepted

Objective:

• SAT I (breakdown): 800cr, 740m, 760w = 2300 total
• SAT II: Math 2: 800
  World: 800
  Physics: 800
  Chem: 790
  US History: 790
• Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 98.32
• Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School does not rank; anecdotally #1 out of 63
• AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC: 5
  Chem: 5
  Eng Lang.: 5 (self-studied)
  World: 5 (self-studied)
  USH: 5 (self-studied)
• Senior Year Course Load: Hardest available: Multivariable Calc, AP Physics C, etc ...
• Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Intel Semi-Finalist, Stockholm Junior Water Prize – State Champ, #7 in nation, Moody’s Mega Math Challenge winner, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Commended

Subjective:

• Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Model UN (Secretary General), Investment Club (co-founder), Academic Team (Captain), NHS (President)
• Job/Work Experience: Congressional internship, quantum computing mentorship
• Volunteer/Community service: USY (co-president)
• Summer Activities: CTY 4 years, Harvard SSP (Edward Fein Fellowship)
• Essays: Doesn’t everyone think their essays are great?
• Teacher Recommendation: Alleged to be very good
• Counselor Rec: see above
• Additional Rec: Harvard TA
• Interview: Very good

Other

• Applied for Financial Aid?: Y
• Intended Major: International Relations
• State (if domestic applicant): NJ
• School Type: public magnet (top 10 in the country)
• Ethnicity: white
• Gender: M
• Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None of the “classics”

Reflection

Strengths: Typical hard-working, well-rounded kid

What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Challenge of coming from a pre-engineering academy strong in math and science, yet personally having great interest in the social sciences

Weaknesses: Not an athlete, not a musician, would not be recruited for any such niches

Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Just a strong overall app

GENERAL COMMENTS: Received early write.